I'm hoping it's identical but offers a "free" way of reaching max meld stats for people that don't want to gamble on melding. That said I'd prefer to meld and be done with it, I have no desire to slog away at acquiring, much less carrying around, separate equipment sets for every crafting and gathering class. If this new gear ends up being better(or more specifically required), it's going to suck for me.

Glad to see the predator armor is in, I've been having a slow-burning fit waiting for it to be found. Now to hope that the music that plays when you're in it is Devil's Lab.